Sunday, November 30, 2014

Heyman: Robertson Has Received Three-Year, $39-Million Offer

It's been known for some time that Free Agent Reliever David Robertson has a high asking price, and now it appears a team has finally reached it. 

According to CBS Sports' Jon Heyman, Robertson has received an offer worth close to what he wants, but not exactly. The Yankees don't seem to want to give Robertson the four-year deal he's coveting this offseason, but nonetheless, would certainly like to keep him. 

From Heyman's report: 

"Some around the game questioned whether Robertson was taking an unnecessary risk when he turned down the Yankees' $15.3 million offer, which would have given the highest salary ever for a relief pitcher without ever even testing the market. But one rival executive said he's heard Robertson already has an offer of about $39 million for three years in hand, and that it seems likely with all the outside interest that Robertson will get a four-year offer."
It's definitely possible that the unknown club here is the Astros, who have been said to be interested in Robertson for weeks.
However, they are not the only ones to have maybe broken the bank for him, as the Rockies, Rangers and White Sox also seem to be looking to better their bullpens. That trio could very well be accompanied by the Cubs and Tigers, too, The New York Daily News' Mark Feinsand writes.
Robertson, 29, has played for the Yankees since he was a rookie in 2008, and is coming off a solid first season in their closing role.

The Best of What's Left


Let's take a quick look in between our NFL television watching to see the best of what's left on the free agent market and see who the Yankees could potentially target. The bolded players are players that I could personally see the Yankees pursuing and/or signing. Disagree? Tell me in the comments. 

RHP Max Scherzer
LHP Jon Lester

RHP James Shields
RHP Brandon McCarthy
RHP Ervin Santana

RHP David Robertson
LHP Andrew Miller
RHP Luke Gregerson
RHP Sergio Romo
RHP Rafael Soriano
RHP Pat Neshek
RHP Jason Grilli


SS Stephen Drew
OF Torii Hunter

RF Nick Markakis
LF Melky Cabrera
DH Nelson Cruz
1B Mike Morse
3B Chase Headley
CF Colby Rasmus
SS Jed Lowrie
2B Asdrubal Cabrera
C Geovany Soto
UT Emilio Bonifacio
C A.J. Pierzynski

Comparing the Yankees and Blue Jays Lineups


Earlier in the week we compared the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox lineups to see who had the advantage at each position. Spoiler alert, Boston has a much better lineup then the Yankees right now. Can the same be said for the Toronto Blue Jays? Let's take a look while keeping in mind that the BOLDED player gets the advantage in my opinion.

NYY Offense TOR Offense
C Brian McCann Russell Martin
1B Mark Teixeira Edwin Encarnacion
2B Refsnyder/Pirela Ryan Goins
SS Brendan Ryan Jose Reyes
3B Martin Prado Josh Donaldson
LF Brett Gardner Kevin Pillar
CF Jacoby Ellsbury Dalton Pompey
RF Carlos Beltran Jose Bautista
DH Alex Rodriguez Dioner Navarro

New York a Fourth Place Team?


With all the free agent and trade acquisitions happening right now in the American League East does that leave the Yankees as a fourth place team in 2015? Is it worse and can the Rays survive all their trades with their stellar pitching and possibly make the Yankees a fifth place team? If you ask a Yankees fan right now it's entirely possible that these are the end times for the club.

Late Friday night the Toronto Blue Jays added the best third baseman in the game in Josh Donaldson for three prospects and Brett Lawrie. Adding Donaldson and Russell Martin to a potent lineup consisting of Jose Reyes, Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion the Blue Jays are going to score a ton of runs this season. The Boston acquisitions this season and the signs that more is to come are well documented so there is no need to go over those again. Baltimore won the AL East last season handily and while losing Nick Markakis, Nelson Cruz and Andrew Miller are still far and away a better team than the Yankees at this point.

Do the Yankees fans have to prepare for a fourth place season? Maybe a fifth place finish? If you ask me right now, before the Yankees make a move, before the Winter Meetings, etc., then maybe.

TGP Daily Poll: Yankees Sign Yoan Lopez Too


In yesterday's TGP Daily Poll we predicted that the New York Yankees would sign Yoan Moncada fresh out of Cuba. Today we predict that the New York Yankees will sign Yoan Lopez out of Cuba as well.

Vote in our poll!!

This Day In New York Yankees History 11/30: Jeter Wins Another Award


On this day in 2009 the Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter was named Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year. The Yankees captain would be the first Yankee to ever be named the winner of the award since SI started giving out the award in 1954.


Also on this day in 2000 the New York Yankees signed Mike Mussina to a six year deal worth $88.5 million stealing him from the rival Baltimore Orioles. Mussina would stay with the Yankees through the 2008 season and finally get his 20 win season in pinstripes before riding off into the sunset.


Finally on this day in 1952 Jackie Robinson went on a  New York television show accusing the Yankees of being racist for not having a black player on their team. The Yankees would not sign a black baseball player until three years later when they signed Elston Howard, nine years after Jackie broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball.

Saturday, November 29, 2014

Sheffield Unsure of His HOF Chances


He batted .292 with 509 home runs and 1,676 RBIs with eight teams over 22 years, but will ex-Yankees OF Gary Sheffield get into the Hall of Fame?

He apparently doesn't know, admitting Wednesday that he has "no idea" if he'll be selected. Sheffield was solid when he played for the Yankees from 2004-2006, appearing in two All-Star games as the club won three straight division titles.

Nonetheless, he isn't sure if his career numbers will be good enough for the honor, as impressive as they seem to be.

"The bottom line is that there is no question about my numbers and what I have done and how long I have done it,’’ Sheffield told The New York Post. “I was never voted the MVP, so I don’t speculate on anything.’’

He was, however, the NL Batting Champion in 1992, one of two seasons he spent with the Padres. 

Sheffield also collected a Silver Slugger Award that year, but that wasn't too unusual for him. He had nine of those in total, two of which came with the Yankees. 

“When I look back at it, for what I did and the injuries I had, I am proud of my accomplishments,’’ he said.

This is Sheffield's first time up for the accolade. He will have fifteen chances to get inducted as long as he's on at least five percent of the Baseball Writers Association of America's (BBWAA) ballots each year, and will become a permanent member of Cooperstown if he's ever on 75 percent.

Sheffield is one of ten former Yankees vying for the coveted accomplishment this winter, with Randy Johnson, Mike Mussina and Roger Clemens being a few of the notable others. 

Buy Alex Rodriguez's Used Mercedes Benz


This is not a joke, Alex Rodriguez must be seriously hurting for some cash right about now. Up until recently the man with the largest contract in Major League Baseball is selling his used Mercedes Benz CLK Class two door Cabriole convertible.... on Ebay. Just a day left so be sure to get your bids in now. CLICK HERE.

The thing retailed at just a shade over $95,000 and you may find a hypodermic needle or something stashed in the seats for an added value. Makes you wonder how bad Alex is off financially right now and it really confirms the fact that he will be in uniform in 2015, 2016, and 2017 so he can make that $61 million.

BREAKING: Yankees Up Offer to Max Scherzer

UPDATE: Fantasy Alarm is saying the deal is close although no credible sources have confirmed. CLICK HERE. 

According to multiple sources on Twitter, one that I especially trust in Dan Pfieffer from the Trenton Thunder, have reported big offers to Max Scherzer from the New York Yankees. One "baseball insider" claims New York has offered while Pfeiffer is hearing more of a six year offer for the former Tigers right hander. Stay tuned.

Signing Jung-Ho Kang is a Necessity for New York


With the shortstop market drying up quicker then the rolls at your Thanksgiving party on Thursday the New York Yankees may be on the outside looking in this hot stove season. That is unless the team heeds my warnings and my suggestions and signs Jung-Ho Kang at all costs.

Let's face it the shortstop free agent market sucks this season with the best option being a guy that hit under .200 last season in Stephen Drew. Looking ahead, and granted a lot can change between now and then, the free agent market sucks next season for shortstops as well making a pillow contract or one year deal a band-aid rather than a solution to New York's problems. To compound the problem the Yankees best shortstop prospects are all in the lower levels of the farm system and, at best, two years away if not more. Signing a youthful 27 year old like Kang to a three or four year deal may be in the Yankees best interests now and for the future.

Kang is not going to bring New York a Canyon of Heroes parade, I get that, but he will play more than adequate defense and give the team a boost offensively over Drew and incumbent Brendan Ryan. The KBO, or Korean Baseball Organization, is more of a AAAA system them a major league system but the Yankees don't necessarily need Kang to slash the career .298/.382/.503 he did in Korea and the team doesn't need him to hit the 137 home runs in seven full seasons he did with the Nexen and the Woori the Yankees just need him to be a slick defender and a solid #7, #8 or #9 hitter in the lineup. Check and check.

Kang will not bring the team a World Series alone and will not solve all the Yankees problem but he will not cost as much as Hanley Ramirez did and he will not gut the farm system like Troy Tulowitzki would. Where do I sign?

Throw Another Yoan on the Pile


According to MLB Trade Rumors there is another Yoan coming out of Cuba this winter and the New York Yankees are said to be interested in his services as well. Cuban right handed pitcher Yoan Lopez has drawn strong interest from several teams including the New York Yankees, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, and the Arizona Diamondbacks. Lopez is just 21 years old standing 6'4" and 190 lbs. who has recently showcased for scouts and will showcase again next week in the Dominican Republic.

Lopez has three seasons in Cuba's Serie Nacional meaning he would fall under the 2014/2015 international signing budget that the Yankees have already blown out of the water. While Lopez has not been unblocked from the U.S. Department of the Treasury Major League Baseball has already declared him a free agent which helps speed up the process. Many around the league thought that Yoan Moncada would be the last notable free agent to count against the IFA spending cap this season but Lopez may also be in the mix for New York.

Lopez throws a cutter, a changeup, a curve ball and a slider while pitching but relies heavily on his 93-95 MPH heat. Lopez has hit 100 MPH on the gun three times since beginning to work out for teams and he is only 21 years old. Where do I sign?


TGP Daily Poll: Yankees Will Sign Yoan Moncada


I predict that the New York Yankees will sign Cuban defecting free agent Yoan Moncada.

Vote in our poll!

This Day In New York Yankees History 11/29: Drinks, Prepared to be Stirred


On this day in 1976 the Yankees got their drink stirred when they signed Reggie Jackson to a free agent contract worth five years and $3.5 million. Reggie would help the Yankees win four division titles, three American League pennants, and two World Series championships in his tenure thus becoming Mr. October.

Also on this day in 1966 the Yankees traded third basemen Clete Boyer to the Braves for outfielder Bill Robinson and a player to be named later.

Finally on this day in 1965 the New York Yankees traded Phil Linz to the Phillies for infielder Ruben Amaro. Over the next three seasons Amaro got famous for playing the harmonica on the team bus and playing in only 165 games before retiring after seven major league seasons.

Friday, November 28, 2014

BOVADA: Mets the New Kings of New York




Bovada has been quoted many times on this site as the popular site releases World Series probabilities and such multiple times in a calendar year. Bovada is making news on this site once again as the website may be suggesting a power switch in the great state of New York as the Mets look to overtake the Yankees. Once again Bovada released their World Series predictions and once again the Yankees were nowhere close at 22/1. Interestingly enough though the article, SEEN HERE, lists the Mets at 20/1.

In case you were wondering the Boston Red Sox and the Los Angeles Dodgers are listed as the favorites at 8/1 while the Washington Nationals narrowly trail at 9/1. In case you were also wondering the Houston Astros have the worst odds to win the Fall Classic followed by the Phillies, Twins, Rockies and Diamondbacks.

Ex-Yankees Pitcher Gooden Expects Yankees to Have Big Offseason

Former Yankees pitcher Dwight Gooden isn't buying Brian Cashman's proposed offseason plan.

The 50-year-old three-time World Series champion, while signing autographs Friday in New Rochelle, instead said he expects the Yankees to make a "big splash" in the next couple of weeks. The Yankees have previously claimed that they have no intention to pursue this winter's top free agents, a group which includes proven arms like Max Scherzer, Jon Lester and James Shields. 

They've also limited how much they're willing to give to Chase Headley in recent days, but that doesn't seem to matter a lot to Gooden. 

“I think the Yankees have something up their sleeve,” he told NJ.com's Brendan Kuty, “whether it’s Max Scherzer or whoever it is. I definitely look forward to them doing something.”

Gooden played for the Yankees from 1996-1997 before rejoining them in 2000. However, he is probably best known for the accolades he collected as a Met from 1984-1994, when he made four All-Star teams, won a Cy Young Award and was named Rookie of the Year.

But he still knows plenty about New York's AL representative, having worked in its front office after retiring.

“They’re not going to sit back and wait,” Gooden said. “I had the privilege of working for the Yankees for six years after I retired under (late owner George Steinbrenner). So they’re not the club that’s going to sit back and let things happen. I don’t think they need to (acquire many new pieces). I just think they need to get healthy and get some of their guys back.”

Guys like CC Sabathia, Ivan Nova and Martin Prado, each of whom ended 2014 on the disabled list. They've all been valuable contributors to the Yankees at different times over the last five years, so it certainly wouldn't hurt anything if they came back.

Nonetheless, it's a safe bet inking someone like Lester to a multi-year deal would help out the Yankees in the long run, as much their offense may struggle. 

Chris Capuano Could Be Headed To Japan


Chris Capuano spent the 2014  season with three different teams including finishing the campaign in the New York Yankees starting rotation. Capuano pitched well in pinstripes and may be headed to Japan to showcase that left arm in 2015 according to reports. This is especially interesting since Capuano was the only (technically) Yankees player to participate for the USA in the Japan All Star Series which was a five game exhibition series between the United States and Japan.

Capuano was interviewed by MLB Network Radio and confirmed the interest stating that he was interested as far back as 2006. Capuano went 2-3 in 12 starts with New York and posted a 4.25 ERA in those starts in 2014.

Alex Rodriguez Worst Case Scenario at SS?

"Take over Bro, I'm out."

Unless you have been living under a rock for the better part of a calendar year you have heard that Derek Jeter has retired and the New York Yankees are looking for a shortstop. While the market for shortstops is quickly drying up thanks to the Boston Red Sox buying all the top free agents available (and still telling New York fans how they "buy" their rings) the Yankees may start getting desperate for a replacement for Jeter. Let's be honest here before we get too far into this post by saying that whoever the Yankees get unless it's a Troy Tulowitzki the fans are going to hate at first because he's not Jeter and he's not "our" shortstop. Everyone already hates Alex Rodriguez, would he be the worst case scenario at shortstop? Boy I have a feeling this isn't going to be a popular blog post...

While we look at as many stats as we can to make a decision here we are going to use A Rod's 2012 stats as that was his last full season. Obviously it's hard, or impossible, to compare third base to shortstops and hard to quantify almost two full years off the team and another bad hip surgery for Rodriguez but what they heck, I'm still turkey drunk so let's go for it. 

Let's start slow, errors, where Derek Jeter made 11 in 267 opportunities in 2014. The good for Jeter is seven of those errors came on errant throws that Mark Teixeira could not dig out of the dirt or the air in time and the bad is that Jeter's range could have prevented a whole lot more. Jeter was below average in his final season, remember as a 40 year old shortstop, in league fielding percentage and far below league average in league range factor per 9 IP and league range factor per game. Jeter was worth a whopping -27 runs defensively and saved -12 runs in his final season but I think we all knew that Derek struggled, I think we're all here to see is Alex could fill in for Derek at short in 2015.

The short answer is obviously no but considering that the free agent market is dry, the farm system is dry for shortstops, and a one year pillow contract with a Stephen Drew or equivalent does nothing for the team as the free agent market and farm will likely be comparable this time next year. In 2012 Alex was worth -6 runs in the field and saved -2 runs in the field. Alex was above average using fielding percentage and just slightly below average in league range factor per 9 IP and per game showing the obvious signs of a defensive decline. Factor in the fact that Alex has missed the better parts of two seasons and had that hip surgery, which he has had plenty of time to let heal and rehab the injury to get back into playing shape, and his stats may look a lot like Derek's stats defensively in 2015. 

This wouldn't be Plan A or even Plan L but honestly I personally think it wouldn't be Plan Z either. The Yankees fans are used to spotty range at shortstop and can't expect much offense from the position either. I'm not saying announce him as the starting shortstop now and stop trying to build a better team and fill the position with a better suited player but I am saying with a rangy guy like Headley at third and one of Martin Prado, Jose Pirela and Robert Refsnyder at second base cheating a step or two on both sides I think the team could make it work, at least until July anyway. 

Comparing the 2015 Yankees vs. Red Sox Offenses


As it stands right now I wanted to take a look and compare the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox right now to see just how much work Brian Cashman has ahead of himself this winter. It's scary but take a look. The bolded player gets my nod as having the advantage.

2015 NYY     2015 BOS  
 
1B Mark Teixeira    Mike Nappybeard
2B Refsnyder/Pirela   Dustin Pedroia
SS Brendan Ryan   Xander Bogaerts 
3B Martin Prado   Pablo Sandoval
LF Brett Gardner   Hanley Ramirez
CF Jacoby Ellsbury   Rusney Castillo
RF Carlos Beltran   Yoenis Cespedes
Brian McCann   Christian Vazquez
DH Alex Rodriguez   David Ortiz

Derek Jeter "Almost" Became NY Governor


I am slightly exaggerating in the title of the blog post hoping to generate views here but seriously Derek Jeter was in consideration for the New York Governor's race this year. Jeter, Bill Clinton, and two Cuomos received votes in this past year's election for NY State Governor. As we all know Andrew Cuomo won the election handily over Rob Astorino but some in New York missed Mario Cuomo so much, Andrew's father, that he received at least one vote as well.

Check out the officially tally HERE. As you can see voters got creative this year with Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, Bill and Hillary Clinton, Eliot Spitzer, Taylor Swift, Roseanne Barr, Michael Bloomberg and Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey's character on House of Cards) also received votes in the election.

Derek Jeter almost became the governor of New York State, how awesome would that have been?

This Day in New York Yankees History 11/28: Steinbrenner Suspended


Just one short tidbit of news on this day in Yankees history as on this day in 1974 George Steinbrenner was suspended from Major League Baseball for two years. Then Commissioner Bowie Kuhn made the controversial decision after Steinbrenner was caught and convicted of making illegal contributions to the re-elect Nixon campaign. Whoops.


Thursday, November 27, 2014

Betances Hopeful Robertson Will Stay in New York

Though to many he appears to be the more reliable of the two, Yankees' Reliever Dellin Betances wants David Robertson to return to the team next season.

The 26-year-old set-up man revealed so to the New York Post Tuesday, but didn't go into much detail as to why. He and Robertson are coming off an impressive 2014 in the back of the Yankees' bullpen, in which the two of them recorded ERAs of 1.40 and 3.08, respectively.

Betances did seem to be less hittable than Robertson, however, as good as the latter was.

“I hope that he does come back,” Betances said. “I think he’s a big key for the team.”

Robertson recorded 39 saves in 44 opportunities for the Yankees this season, so there's certainly evidence to back up that claim. He accomplished that feat despite spending a couple of weeks on the DL, when he could've collected even more.

But with the younger Betances having just struck out a franchise-record 135 batters this year, some are thinking he'd do better in the closer role. He did have a lower WHIP than Robertson this season, but then again, Robertson is the one with the experience. 

What does Betances think?

“I haven’t really thought about (moving to the ninth inning),” he said. “I just want to win. My whole situation, whatever opportunity I get, I’m just going to embrace it and try to do my best. Whatever I have to do to help the team win, that’s my job.”

Robertson is currently asking for a four-year contract worth $52 million, a much larger salary than the $502,100 Betances is presently making. Not to mention Betances is younger than Robertson, with a larger arsenal of pitches.

We'll see how much those facts actually matter to the Yankees at next month's Winter Meetings, which are set to begin December 7. 

Yankees Black Friday Check List


The Thanksgiving Day festivities are coming to an end in most households so now it’s time to gear up for a fight, let’s go Black Friday shopping. First and foremost I am big on history so here is a little tidbit as to why it’s called Black Friday. Most department stores claim that they operate in the red, or losing money, all year long and more than make up for it on Christmas. The first time these stores would make a profit, or see their bottom line go into the black, would be the day after Thanksgiving when all the sales and door busters were going on. Now you know so now let’s sign some players for the Yankees.

Chase Headley is a must and if you sign him now I think he comes at a bargain. Don’t let other teams come in and ramp up the price after missing out on Pablo Sandoval and Hanley Ramirez just give him what he wants. If it’s a four year deal then so be it because he can always be stashed at first base after the 2016 season when Mark Teixeira leaves. If it’s money he wants then so be it because the team is already over the luxury tax threshold before signing a single arbitration case or free agent when you consider the players bonuses and such that are written into the new CBA. If he wants both then you do it, we’re the Yankees dammit and we need to start acting like it.

Brandon McCarthy/Jon Lester is a must sign as well. I know everyone is screaming about how the team needs bats and if we bolster the pitching staff we would lose 1-0 and 2-1 every night but the pitching is important too. With a rotation decimated with injuries last year hence all the question marks this year the team needs some sort of reliability at the top. Lester does not cost us a pick and McCarthy was great pitching in Yankee Stadium. Sign them both!


Finally our last stop would get us a shortstop. At this point I don’t care who it is, Troy Tulowitzki, Asdrubal Cabrera, Jed Lowrie, Stephen Drew, Clint Barmes, Jimmy Rollins, whoever. The team needs a shortstop and the team needs one now before this turns into a 2014 second base search that nets us a Brian Roberts all season long. The Yankees don’t need to necessarily react to Boston’s signings and go crazy but the team needs to do something because the team has holes to fill. What better day to check a few things off the list then Black Friday, right?

Boston Making Things Extremely Difficult for the Yankees


The Boston Red Sox pulled a George Steinbrenner’s New York Yankees move when the team bought up the top hitting free agents on the market in Pablo Sandoval and Hanley Ramirez. Looking at the market now, especially for the left side of the infield, New York may be almost forced to make a trade to compete. If Chase Headley decides to sign somewhere other than New York then the Yankees would truly be in trouble and may be forced to either gut the farm or miss the postseason for a third straight season.

After Headley the most enticing third base options are Mark Reynolds, Alberto Callaspo and Kelly Johnson. I would take a flyer on Reynolds but for the others I would give a very emphatic “no thank you.” Shortstop is not much better as the best available right now are Jed Lowrie, Stephen Drew and Asdrubal Cabrera. Lowrie is going to take advantage of a weak market to get way too much money for way too many years while Drew takes a pillow contract for one season. Cabrera is basically a second baseman at this point in his career although I’m sure Yankees fans wouldn’t notice his lack of range after watching Derek Jeter run around at age 40 last season.

Enter the Chicago Cubs who have Starlin Castro, Addison Russell, Javier Baez and others along with the Arizona Diamondbacks who have Didi Gregorious, Jake Lamb, Brandon Drury, Chris Owings and others. You can always throw in the Philadelphia Phillies willingness to trade Jimmy Rollins and Chicago’s willingness to move Alexei Ramirez into the fold for the Yankees as well. The problem for New York? Boston has a huge stable of major league ready prospects and established major league players, Yoenis Cespedes for example, that could be had without mortgaging the future prospects wise or money wise. Boston can have any player that they want, and that is available obviously, and could swoop in and steal any potential player in a trade that the Yankees could be targeting. Could you imagine Troy Tulowitzki in Fenway Park in 2015?


Boston has made things extremely difficult for the Yankees and this is going to be the first offseason in a long time that Yankees GM Brian Cashman is going to have to use his brain and not his checkbook to make the team better. Stay tuned and damn you Boston!

Barry Bonds Thinks he will get into the Hall


Barry Lamar Bonds is Major League Baseball’s all-time home run hitter with 762 home runs in his career and without an asterisk by his name he believes he will get into the Hall of Fame eventually. Along with his 762 home runs Bonds also has 2,935 hits and 1,996 RBI including some monstrous OBP, OPS and SLG numbers to go along with it. Recently in an interview with MLB.com’s Barry Bloom Bonds was quick to point out that his record remains unblemished in the official record books. Bonds was very emphatic when he stated that he deserved the necessary 75% of votes to enter the hall after receiving just 34.7% of the vote last year in his second season on the ballot.

Here is the exact quote from Bonds, agree? Disagree? Tell us in the comments:

 “I deserve to be there. Clemens deserves to be there. The guys that are supposed to be there are supposed to be there. Period. I don’t even know how to say it. We are Hall of Famers. Why are we having these conversations about it? Why are we talking about a baseball era that has come and gone? Era, era, era. Do the best players in the game deserve to be in the Hall of Fame? Yes. Everything that everyone has accomplished in baseball is in that [record] book. Correct? So if that’s correct, then we need to be in there. End of story.”


Happy Thanksgiving from The Greedy Pinstripes


I just wanted to take a quick minute to wish all of you guys and girls reading this a very Happy Thanksgiving from everyone here at The Greedy Pinstripes. We are so very humble, thankful, and appreciative for each and every one of your views, your comments, your tweets, etc. and we would not do this without your support. Thank you!


Everyone be safe out there, eat too much and spend time with family because that’s what this day is for. Enjoy the day everyone and we will be back at it at full strength again tomorrow. Happy Thanksgiving. 

This Day in New York Yankees History: Thanksgiving 2014


On this day in 1972 the Indians and the Yankees hooked up for a trade that saw Graig Nettles and catcher Gerry Moses head to New York for John Ellis, Jerry Kenney, Charlie Spikes, and Rusty Torres. Nettles would be a huge part of three American League pennants and two World Series titles in the late 70's, ask any Dodgers fan about him.


Also on this day in 1947 the Yankees Joe DiMaggio edged out Ted Williams to win the American League Most Valuable Player award by one point. Williams won the Triple Crown this year posting a .343 average with 32 home runs and 162 RBI's but DiMaggio's .315 with 20 home runs and 97 RBI's would take the award. This would be the second time in the 40's, the other in 1941, that DiMaggio narrowly won the award over a more deserving Ted Williams.

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Happy Thanksgiving Yankee Fans! Or Is It?

Another off-season, following another disastrous year for the Yankees. What's next for Yankee Universe? Is there any hope of returning to those glory days, now fading away? Or at least some semblance of a team that George Steinbrenner would have put on the field?

Per media reports, the Boston Red Sox have signed both Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval. (Note: the Yankees can cross another potential Derek Jeter replacement off the list).  With that being said, Brian Cashman is now on the clock.

So far, the Yankees’ strategy has been to make an offer and play a waiting game. It worked for Chris Young, but it will not work for Chase Headley or Brandon McCarthy. We want to believe the Yankees’ will make their usual off-season splash, but will that be enough? No.


While signing Max Scherzer and/or Jon Lester would be “splash” worthy, the Yankees’ have a ton of holes they need to fix. Most notably, finding Derek Jeter’s replacement.  (Here’s A-Rod!) I’m kidding, or not.  

Yankees Offered "Utility Player" for Jimmy Rollins

According to Jayson Stark of ESPN the New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Phillies have had discussions recently regarding a potential Jimmy Rollins trade. Originally it was reported that the asking price was simply too high but now we have learned that New York offered a "utility player" for Rollins' services. The only conceivable utility player I could see the Yankees offering for Rollins would be Jose Pirela, no?

It is also worth noting that according to Stark Rollins was not interested in becoming a Yankee...

Yasmany Tomas Comes off the Yankees Board


Breaking news out of Arizona as the news has been reported that the Arizona Diamondbacks have signed Cuban defecting outfielder Yasmany Tomas to a six year deal worth $68.5 million. There was never any indication of whether the Yankees were interested in Tomas or not but he is definitely off the board either way now.

Sabathia: Staying Healthy Necessary For Yankees' 2015 Success

Yankees' Pitcher CC Sabathia sees staying healthy as the key to the team's 2015 success.

Sabathia said so during a recent interview with the YES Network, in which he also commented on what the Yankees should do this offseason. Sabathia is coming off an injury-shortened 2014 campaign, and expressed his eagerness to return to the field.

However, he still made it clear that more players than just him have to stay off the disabled list in order for the Yankees to contend again next season, namely their other big arms. 

“Just to be healthy, I think, [would make a difference],” Sabathia said. “I don’t know how much we need [in terms of new additions] — I don’t evaluate the talent or anything like that – but I know myself, [Ivan] Nova, Big Mike, if we can stay healthy for a whole year, I think we have a better chance of making the playoffs.”

Yankees fans probably hope that's true, as the team has now missed the postseason for two consecutive years. The last time they did that was from 1992-1993, before Derek Jeter arrived.

And Sabathia, with his wounded knee, may just be another reason for their decline. He had a 4.78 ERA in 2013 and a 5.28 one this season, yet said that he can still be as a 200-inning, 30-start guy for them in the future. 

“Yeah, for sure,” he said. “I feel like I can. If you asked me that a couple of months ago, I would have said, ‘I don’t know,’ but the way I’m feeling now and being able to work out, definitely.”

Sabathia is likely guaranteed a spot in next year's rotation, so it's a safe bet he'll get a chance to back up that statement. He may not be in the front half of it for the first time in pinstripes, but nonetheless, he'll be throwing every five days. 

Sabathia, 34, was 74-29 with a 3.22 ERA with the Yankees from 2009-2012, but has noticeably lost velocity on his fastball since.

Updating My Offseason Ideas

First that shirt, and now Boston? Really, Hanley?

Now that the Boston Red Sox have signed Hanley Ramirez, my ideas for the offseason have already been ruined. Although, and I'm being honest here, I was never completely comfortable with the idea of Ramirez in pinstripes. It just seemed like the best way to fill the position, while also strengthening a poor batting lineup.

So it's time to update my offseason ideas.

One idea that I'm going to stick with is the one saying the Yankees should re-sign David Robertson. 

If you want the full rundown as to why I think it's important to re-sign Robertson, then you can click the link above for my previous idea article. Let's just say that whether Betances fills in as the new closer or not, losing David would leave a gigantic hole in the bullpen. And the past postseason clearly showed us how important a strong bullpen can be.

I'd rather not have to rely on a trade to fill a hole on the team, but at this point the Yankees don't have much of a choice. That's because the free agent crop of shortstops is not good. Stephen Drew? Asdrubal Cabrera? Jed Lowrie? Those three options make me think of a scene from Coming To America...

"___ you, ___ you, and ___ you. Who's next?"

So trade for Starlin Castro. Trade for Didi Gregorius. Trade for Elvis Andrus. Heck, trade for Jimmy Rollins. Just do not settle for one of those three stooges mentioned above.

Another story surrounding the Yankees' 2014/2015 offseason, which in my mind ties into the shortstop situation, has to do with their situation at third base. I had said that I wanted the Yankees to bring back Chase Headley, and I'm not completely changing that stance. 

Did you catch that? I said, I'm not completely changing my stance on that one.

See, if the Yankees end up acquiring somebody with an average bat to play shortstop, then I believe it would be ideal for them to get a more proven player at third base. For example, if they traded for Jimmy Rollins, then by all means bring back Chase Headley to man the hot corner.

However, if Cashman and Company were somehow able to deal for somebody like Starlin Castro, then allow either Rob Refsnyder or Jose Pirela to play second base while Martin Prado handles things at third.

The reason I say that is there's a better than zero percent chance that both Refsnyder and Pirela do not pan out. If that were to happen, and the Yankees have a poor hitter playing shortstop, then you're looking at another below average lineup in 2015. 

Take a look at this possible batting lineup...

1. Brett Gardner
2. Jacoby Ellsbury
3. Brian McCann
4. Carlos Beltran
5. Mark Teixeira
6. Alex Rodriguez
7. Martin Prado
8. Average Shortstop
9. Rob Refsnyder/Jose Pirela

Yep.

Take out the kids, add Chase Headley, and you can feel a little better...

1. Brett Gardner
2. Jacoby Ellsbury
3. Brian McCann
4. Carlos Beltran
5. Mark Teixiera
6. Chase Headley
7. Alex Rodriguez
8. Martin Prado
9. Average Shortstop

Like I said... feel a little better. 

By the way, I didn't think that hard about the order. So tinker with that if you want, but don't rake me over the coals if you don't agree with it.

Either way, it doesn't look like the offense is going to be a whole lot better than it was last season. That brings me to my last idea.

Even though the Yankees have plenty of starting options going into 2015, too many of them have questions. Will Masahiro Tanaka's elbow hold up, or will he need Tommy John surgery? Can we trust Michael Pineda's shoulder? Is it dumb to think CC Sabathia can be effective ever again? Are Shane Greene and David Phelps for real? Will Ivan Nova return and be 2013 Nova or 2012 Nova?

So while I called for the re-signing of Brandon McCarthy in my last idea article, the need for great run prevention is just too much. Therefore, I'm changing things up and asking the Yankees to sign either Max Scherzer or Jon Lester.

I honestly don't care which guy it is. Both of them are solid bets to start 30+ games, are basically the same age, and should end their contracts being a middle of the rotation starter at worst. I guess I lean towards Lester since he's spent plenty of time in the AL East, is left-handed, and doesn't come with draft pick compensation. But comparing the two seems like splitting hairs. 

So let's break it down...

-Sign David Robertson.
-Trade for a shortstop.
-Sign Headley if the new shortstop is a weak hitter, or if the new SS hits well then just move Prado to 3B and Refsnyder/Pirela to 2B.
-Sign Jon Lester or Max Scherzer

Now, let's see how long before my ideas are shot to hell again.

What I’m Thankful For: New York Yankees Edition


Earlier in the day I got all sappy and I laid out everything I was thankful for and I urged people to also be thankful and help thy neighbor. I’m over the sappy mushy stuff now and it’s back to work as we take a look at what certain members of the New York Yankees have to be thankful for.

Brendan Ryan
“As of right now I am the Yankees starting shortstop.”

Masahiro Tanaka
My Japanese is rusty so something that loosely translated to “I’m thankful my arm has not fallen off.”

Alex Rodriguez
“I’m back #*%&$”

John Ryan Murphy
“See ya Cervelli”

Chris Young
“I’m thankful for two walk off hits and a hot two weeks in September that has kept me from unemployment checks.”

Brian Cashman
“I’m thankful for Chase Headley and Brandon McCarthy bringing me three more years.”

Hal Steinbrenner

“The Greedy Pinstripes for giving me ideas to sign players that Brian Cashman doesn’t want.”

The Yankees Will Stay At Three Years For Chase Headley

Jon Heyman is reporting that the Yankees are not willing to give Chase Headley an offer above three years.

It's entirely possible that this is just posturing, as I'm willing to bet that it's going to take at least a four year offer to sign Headley, because there's plenty of competition for the third baseman. You have the Giants who just lost Pablo Sandoval to Boston, then there's the Indians, Blue Jays, and Padres showing interest.

While Chase is a couple years older than Sandoval, who just got a five year contract, the two are not that different when it comes to producing on the field. Headley had an OPS+ of 119 in 58 games with the Yankees, while Sandoval's OPS+ this past season was 111. In fact, if teams could be confident that Headley's injury woes would stay in the past, then a five year deal could certainly happen.

Furthermore, Headley turned down a three year extension with the Padres last spring. That doesn't mean that a three year offer definitely won't work, as Chase may have turned down San Diego's offer in order to try and catch on with a contender, but it strengthens my feeling that he's looking for at least four years this offseason.

If the Yankees do pass on Headley, then they could simply slide Martin Prado over to third base, and allow Rob Refsnyder or Jose Pirela to man second, which doesn't sound like the worst idea. However, due to the team's offensive woes this past season, I'd feel better with battle-proven players like Headley and Prado as regulars in the lineup over Prado and Refsnyder/Pirela.

No thanks, Alex.

IBWAA Hall of Fame Ballot

IBWAA RELEASES 2015 HALL OF FAME BALLOT
 
Los Angeles – The IBWAA released its 2015 Hall of Fame election ballot Tuesday, with the names listed below. Balloting will take place electronically between December 1 and December 31, 2014, with the results being released via Twitter on Tuesday, January 6, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. PST.
The IBWAA ballot compares identically to the BBWAA ballot, with the following exceptions:
1. Craig Biggio’s name does not appear on the IBWAA ballot because he was elected by the group in 2014.
2. Mike Piazza’s name does not appear on the IBWAA ballot because he was elected by the group in 2013.
3. Barry Larkin’s name does appear on the ballot because he has not reached the 75% threshold in an IBWAA election.
Per a group decision in 2013, the IBWAA allows members to vote for 15 players, instead of the previous 10, beginning with this election. Players’ names link to their respective pages on Baseball-Reference.com.
Ballot tabulations by Brian Wittig & Associates.
 
The IBWAA was established July 4, 2009 to organize and promote the growing online baseball media, and to serve as a digital alternative to the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA). Voting for full season awards takes place in September of each year, with selections being announced in November. The IBWAA also holds a Hall of Fame election in December of each year, with results being announced the following January.
 
In 2010, the IBWAA began voting in its own relief pitcher category, establishing the Rollie Fingers American League Relief Pitcher of the Year and the Hoyt Wilhelm National League Relief Pitcher of the Year Awards.

Among others, IBWAA members include Jim Bowden, Jim Caple, Mike Petriello, David Schoenfield, Mark A. Simon andDan Szymborski, ESPN.com; Kevin Baxter Los Angeles Times; Tim Brown, Yahoo! Sports; Craig Calcaterra, NBC Sports Hardball Talk; Bill Chuck, GammonsDaily.com; Derrick Goold, St. Louis Post-Dispatch; King Kaufman, Bleacher Report; Kevin Kennedy, Kostya Kennedy, Sports Illustrated; Jonah Keri, Grantland; Vlae Kershner, SFGate.com; Chuck Culpepper and Will Leitch, Sports on Earth; Jill Painter Lopez, FoxSportsWest.com, Bruce Markusen, Hardball Times; Ross Newhan; Dayn Perry and Matt Snyder, CBSSports.com; Mark Purdy, San Jose Mercury News; Eno Sarris and Wendy Thurm, FanGraphs; Tom Hoffarth and J.P. Hoornstra Los Angeles Daily News; Pedro Moura, Orange County Register; Neil Payne, FiveThirtyEight.com, Tracy Ringolsby, MLB.com, Ken Rosenthal, FoxSports.com, Dan Schlossberg, USA Today and Jesse Spector, Sporting News.
 

Association membership is open to any and all Internet baseball writers, with a yearly fee of $20, or $35 lifetime. Discounts for groups and scholarships are available. Members must be 18 years of age to apply.

For more information please visit 
www.ibwaa.com.